Hey Everybody, today we are going to make elderberry syrup. Elderberry, Sambucus nigra, has a rich history as a treatment for colds and flu and with the first cold of the season having already arrived here at the homestead I thought I would share my recipe for elderberry syrup with you.
Make sure of your source for elderberries, there are multiple varieties of elders and where you live can determine the varieties you will find when wild crafting. The leaves stems and uncooked berries of all elders are poisonous. When you are removing berries from the stems try to keep it as clean as possible. The leaves and stems contain cyanoglycosides and will become concentrated if left in with the berries during the reduction phase. The good news is you can buy the Sambucus nigra, European Elder at most good nurseries.
To make the syrup you will need:
1 cup of fresh elderberries, (or 1/2 cup of dried)
3 cups of water
1 cup of unpasteurized honey, the more local the better.
Step 1:
Put your elderberries and water in a heavy based pot and bring to a boil. The colour will change to a purple raspberry hue.
Make sure of your source for elderberries, there are multiple varieties of elders and where you live can determine the varieties you will find when wild crafting. The leaves stems and uncooked berries of all elders are poisonous. When you are removing berries from the stems try to keep it as clean as possible. The leaves and stems contain cyanoglycosides and will become concentrated if left in with the berries during the reduction phase. The good news is you can buy the Sambucus nigra, European Elder at most good nurseries.
To make the syrup you will need:
1 cup of fresh elderberries, (or 1/2 cup of dried)
3 cups of water
1 cup of unpasteurized honey, the more local the better.
Step 1:
Put your elderberries and water in a heavy based pot and bring to a boil. The colour will change to a purple raspberry hue.
Step 2:
Reduce the heat and simmer, until volume is reduced by half
Step 3:
When mixture is reduced by half, mash with a potato masher to break up the berries
Step 4:
Strain through a mesh screen or a double layer of cheesecloth.
Step 5:
When mixture cools to warm, add in 1 cup of unpasteurized honey, stir thoroughly
Step 6:
When cooled, pour into a bottle or jar, label and store in the fridge.
This will keep in the fridge for approximately three months. I made the one batch after we harvested our berries last week; but I know I will need more during the winter, so I put 1 cup of berries in each of five plastic bags and put them in the freezer so I can make up batches of syrup when needed.
Elderberry syrup works on the immune system in much the same way echinacea and cranberry do, so it is important to start taking it at the first sign of illness.
Dosage:
Children: 1- 3 teaspoons every three hours.
Adults: 1- 3 Tablespoons every three hours
Note: For children under 2, add the syrup to hot water. This will to kill off anything in the honey that might make them sick.
Have a great day every one!
Reduce the heat and simmer, until volume is reduced by half
Step 3:
When mixture is reduced by half, mash with a potato masher to break up the berries
Step 4:
Strain through a mesh screen or a double layer of cheesecloth.
Step 5:
When mixture cools to warm, add in 1 cup of unpasteurized honey, stir thoroughly
Step 6:
When cooled, pour into a bottle or jar, label and store in the fridge.
This will keep in the fridge for approximately three months. I made the one batch after we harvested our berries last week; but I know I will need more during the winter, so I put 1 cup of berries in each of five plastic bags and put them in the freezer so I can make up batches of syrup when needed.
Elderberry syrup works on the immune system in much the same way echinacea and cranberry do, so it is important to start taking it at the first sign of illness.
Dosage:
Children: 1- 3 teaspoons every three hours.
Adults: 1- 3 Tablespoons every three hours
Note: For children under 2, add the syrup to hot water. This will to kill off anything in the honey that might make them sick.
Have a great day every one!
**Please note. I am not a doctor. This post is not intended to diagnose, treat
or cure any disease. The information presented here has not been verified by
Health Canada.**
or cure any disease. The information presented here has not been verified by
Health Canada.**
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